Live Oak Dog Park officially opens

Conducting the official ribbon-cutting to open the Live Oak Dog Park on May 8 are, from left, Joe Comella, Live Oak Park Coalition treasurer; Nieneke Hardenbol, president of Live Oak Dog Park Committee; Tom Contreras, supervising park ranger at Live Oak Park; Anne Richter, Live Oak Dog Park committee member; and Jason Hemmens, County Parks & Recreation, deputy director. According to the County of San Diego, its first off-leash dog park will be open Friday through Monday from 8 a.m. to sundown. If rain occurs, the area will be closed for 24 hours until ground conditions improve. Christine Rinaldi photos (Conducting the official ribbon-cutting to open the Live Oak Dog Park on May 8 are, from left, Joe Comella, Live Oak Park Coalition treasurer; Nieneke Hardenbol, president of Live Oak Dog Park Committee; Tom Contreras, supervising park ranger at Live Oak Park; Anne Richter, Live Oak Dog Park committee member; and Jason Hemmens, County Parks & Recreation, deputy director. According to the County of San Diego, its first off-leash dog park will be open Friday through Monday from 8 a.m. to sundown. If rain occurs, the area will be closed for 24 hours until ground conditions improve.)

Jim Bates and his girl Mika, a 10-year-old Labrador, pointer, and ridgeback mix, wait anxiously for the opening ceremony and their chance to play at the dog park

Karen Russell and her five-year-old Pomeranian, Cookie, are ready for a fun day at the new Live Oak Dog Park.

Gerard Grenier and his Great Danes, Boomer and Avalon, applaud the speakers and the opening of the leash-free dog area.

From left, Kona, Bruno, and Koots play a game of tag.

Dog park patrons Mika, left, and Avalon stretch their legs during the opening day festivities at Live Oak Park's new off-leash facility, on May 8. The parking fee is $3 per day/usage at Live Oak Park, unless an annual pass is purchased for $25 (see a park ranger).

Mika, left, and Baily enjoy being off leash at the new dog park

Baily finally slows down long enough to pose for a photo. He is a rescue from the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary and is in training to be a service dog for his owner's daughter.